Watch movement seal and shock absorber



Jan. 27, 1970 J. GLASS WATCH MOVEMENT SEAL AND SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Jan. 10, 1968 Ufa/0222a Glass United States Patent 3,491,532 WATCH MOVEMENT SEAL AND SHOCK ABSORBER Jerome Glass, Scarsdale, N.Y., assignor to Waltham Watch Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 10, 1968, Ser. No. 696,751 Int. Cl. G04b 37/00 US. Cl. 5888 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination shock absorbent mounting and sealing device for the movement of a watch wherein the movement and dial are received in a peripheral casing member with the dial abutting a circumferential locating flange or the like on the interior of the casing. The sealing and mounting device is of a resilient material and of a caplike configuration for insertion over the movement into engagement with the periphery of a base plate of the watch mechanism. Furthermore, said device has outer dimensions to effect a firm compression fit within the surrounding casing thereby both to seal the movement from contaminants and, in cooperation with the circumferential flange, securely to position the movement and dial within the casing.

Introduction The present invention relates generally to watches and, more specifically, to a watch having a new and improved shock absorbent mounting and seal for the delicate movement thereof.

Summary of the invention It is therefore a primary object of the present invention protectively to enclose and seal the movement of a watch thereby substantially to insulate the movement from contaminants and the adverse effects of excessive vibration.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combined seal and resilient mounting cover for the movement of a watch that is readily removable to permit convenient access and removal of the movement from the watch case.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a watch mechanism enclosure of a resilient material that precludes damage to the mechanism from dropping or jarring both by firmly holding the mechanism against shifting or displacement and by absorbing shock forces.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a unitary watch movement seal and support of the aforesaid type that is economical of manufacture and adaptable to most conventional watches without modification of the normal watch construction.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a watch of a type comprising a peripheral casing member having an interi r wall portion defining a central opening in the casing for receiving a watch mechanism including a movement and a dial. Specifically, the invention is directed to a closure means having a transverse top portion and a depending circumferential wall portion together defining a recessed receiving space adapting the closure means for insertion over the movement with the circumferential wall portion abutting a predetermined portion of the watch mechanism protectively to enclose the movement. The aforesaid circumferential wall portion is of outer dimensions adapting the closure member to seat firmly under a predetermined compression against the interior wall portion of the casing member for securing the watch mechanism in the casing.

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Brief description of the drawings The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood, however, with reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing the bottom of a wristwatch embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the several components of the watch aligned in the order of their assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is an exploded, fragmentary view taken along section line 44 of FIGURE 1.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a bottom view of a wristwatch 10, including a peripheral or outer casing member 12 having the usual integral support arms on opposite sides of the case for accommodating a conventional wristband or strap 14. A watch mechanism 16 is contained within the peripheral casing 12 between a conventional transparent crystal 18, only partly visible in FIGURE 1, and an opposite or bottom casing member 20.

It is necessary, of course, that the watch mechanism 16 be securely positioned within the casing so that upon inadvertent jarring or dropping of the watch, the movement portion thereof is not displaced or shifted with resultant injury to itself or bending of the watch stem. On the other hand, it is not acceptable permanently to install the watch mechanism in the casing as it must be readily accessible and removable for purposes of repair. The prior art approaches to solution of this problem have either been in various respects unsatisfactory, cumbersome or excessively expensive in terms of the structure or the cost of assembly.

It has also been found that installation and removal of the pressure fitted bottom casing member 20 causes small slivers of metal from the softer peripheral casing member 12 to fall into the watch enclosure. Of course, such contaminants may impair proper operation of, or damage, the delicate watch mechanism. Additionally, it is desirable to protect the mechanism as much as possible from other foreign matter, such as dust and condensation, to assure optimum accuracy and reliability in performance of its time keeping function.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing problems are effectively solved by provision of a closure means 22, only a portion of which is visible in the view of FIGURE 1. As will presently be explained, the closure means 22 is of a cap-like configuration and is dimensioned to be received within the peripheral casing member 12 under compressive engagement with the surrounding sidewalls thereof. The circumferential rim 22a of the closure means 22 abuts a complementary peripheral shoulder portion of a support plate of the watch mechanism firmly to retain the mechanism in sandwiched relation between the closure means and a cooperating interior peripheral flange of the casing member 12. In

. addition to the earlier enumerated features, an unexmember 12 includes an interior wall portion 24 defining a central opening therewithin. An inwardly extending circumferential flange member 26 effectively separates the casing 12 into an upper and lower section, the lower section being that portion of the casing visible in the inverted view of the figure. The upper section accommodates a conventional transparent crystal 18 in a manner well known to the art transversely to seal this end of the casing 12. The lower casing section is adapted to receive the watch mechanism 16, depicted in diagrammatic form because it per se represents no part of the present invention. The watch mechanism 16 includes a movement (not shown in detail) and a dial 28 adapted to index against the peripheral flange 26. As will presently be explained, the watch mechanism is secured in the casing by the closure member 22.

The closure means 22 includes a transverse top portion and a depending circumferential wall portion, as shown, defining a recessed receiving space adapting the cap-like member 22 for insertion over the movement. The outer diameter of the circumferential wall portion of the closure means 22 is such as to effect a secure compression fit of the member within the lower section of the casing 12. In assembly, member 22 is firmly pressed into the casing so that the rim 22a of the circumferential wall portion squarely abuts a complementary peripheral shoulder portion 30 of a support plate of the watch mechanism 16. In this manner, the watch mechanism is firmly held between the peripheral flange 26 and the frictionally fitted closure means 22. A conventional bottom casing member is adapted to be pressure fitted to the peripheral member 12 to complete encasement of the mechanism.

The details of the assembled watch may best be appreciated by reference to FIGURES 3 and 4. Specifically the circumferential wall portion of the member 22 is of a thickened cylindrical contour having a nominal outer diameter somewhat exceeding that of the central casing opening so that the requisite frictional engagement is had therebetween when the member is seated in the casing as shown. The seating of the closure member 22 in the casing is analogues to that of a conventional watch crystal, in which regard, the member 22 is preferably of a resilient co-polymer plastic composition similar to that of a conventional crystal. Of course, the closure member need not have the optical clearness and purity of a crystal.

The closure means 22 is also forced downwardly into the casing member 12 to a point where it firmly abuts the peripheral shoulder portion 30 of the support plate, as previously mentioned. The wall portion of the member 22 is notched at 32 to provide access for a stem 34 to the movement. If desired, an elastomeric material may surround the stem at its points of entry into the casing and closure member, respectively, to provide a hermetic seal.

The interior surface of the closure means 22, particularly the transverse top portion thereof, is spaced from the movement of the watch mechanism 16 to avoid interference with the operation thereof and also to provide a surrounding air cushion that has been found to assist in insulating the mechanism from the damaging effects of various shock forces, such as those encountered on dropping or other jarring the watch. The spaced apart mounting of the transverse bottom casing member from the resilient closure means 22 also aids in this regard. Furthermore, it will be recognized that it is no longer possible for small slivers of the casing metal or other contaminants to find access to the watch mechanism from the underside of the casing since the compressive seating of the closure member 22 in the casing effects a seal between these components.

The closure means 22, in cooperation with the support plate on which it is seated, encloses and seals the watch mechanism 16. This aids in maintaining the movement at a uniform temperature, substantially prevents entry of condensation and foreign particles therewithin, and prolongs the useful life of lubricants used in the movement. Furthermore, the closure means 22 may be easily withdrawn from the casing by use of a conventional crystal wrench, thereby permitting unimpeded removal of the watch mechanism from the case.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made.

I claim:

1. A watch comprising:

a watch mechanism including a movement and a dial;

peripheral casing means having an interior wall portion defining a central opening in said casing member for receiving said watch mechanism;

closure means, composed of a stiffly resilient material,

having a top portion and a depending circumferential wall portion together defining a recessed receiving space for insertion over the movement with said circumferential wall portion abutting a predetermined portion of the watch mechanism protectively to enclose the movement, said circumferential Wall portion being of outer dimensions adapting said closure means securely to seat under a predetermined compression against said interior wall portion of said casing member for securing the watch mechanism in said casing member; and

a transverse bottom casing member adapted for locking engagement with said peripheral casing member in spaced apart relation to said resilient closure means.

2. The watch of claim 1 in which said top portion of said closure means is spaced a predetermined distance from said watch mechanism for providing an air cushion region between said closure means and said movement and in which said top portion is of a predetermined thickness at its geometric center and gradually tapers in thickness radially of said center for providing a spring-like flexibility to said top portion of said closure means and further in which said depending circumferential wall portion is of a predetermined thickness greater than said predetermined center thickness for providing sufficient circumferential rigidity to assure secure compression seating of said closure means within said peripheral casing means.

3. The watch of claim 2 in which said resilient closure means is notched to provide an access passage to said movement for the stem of said watch.

4. The watch of claim 3 in which said interior wall portion of said casing member and said closure means are of an annular contour and in which said top portion and said depending circumferential wall portions join along an annularly stepped shoulder portion facilitating removal of said closure means from said casing by a conventional crystal wrench.

'5. The watch of claim 4 in which said peripheral casing member includes a peripheral locating flange extending inwardly from said interior wall portion for dividing said casing member into an upper and lower casing section in which said closure means and said locating flange cooperate securely to position said watch mechanism within said casing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,547,499 4/ 1951 Schmitz. 2,749,702 6/ 6 Schwaibold.

FOREIGN PATENTS 605,172 9/1960 Canada. 295,141 2/ 1954 Switzerland.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner G. H. MILLER, 1a., Assistant Examiner 

